Opulent romance, a diverse cast and plotlines that meld fairytales with a modern zeitgeist: "Bridgerton" has redefined the period-piece genre.The start of season four of "Bridgerton" marks the return of one of the most successful series of the streaming era. In this season, Benedict, the third of four sons of the widowed Violet Bridgerton, takes center stage. He would much rather continue living a life as an artist and bohemian than engage in romantic pursuits.

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And then, at a masquerade ball, Benedict meets a mysterious beauty who captivates him from the very first moment. The mysterious "woman in silver" rushes off just before midnight, leaving behind one of her gloves in her haste — parallels to Cinderella, as told by the Brothers Grimm, are no coincidence. Benedict sets out to find the owner of the glove, but he begins his search in the wrong place, as the mysterious beauty is not who she appears to be…

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Once again, "Bridgerton" tells a fairytale with all the familiar patterns of the genre: love stories, scandals, balls and costumes. But it's the way these fairytales are combined with a modern zeitgeist that make the series a resounding success. Historical accuracy is less of a priority here. Quite the opposite, in fact: The show is redefining the period-piece genre.

A past that never truly existed

In "Bridgerton," early 19th-century England is portrayed as a luxurious fantasy world. Poverty, grime and social hardship barely seem to exist. Women are dressed in opulent gowns, and the men aren't short on ruffles and bows, either. Here, life seems to consist of an endless cycle of balls and social events, all framed by wealth, beauty and etiquette.

One thing that stands out is the diversity of the actors. Skin color plays no role in the series: The aristocracy is diversely cast, including the role of the queen. This world is not historically accurate, but it's intentionally inclusive. "Bridgerton" creates a safe and beautiful world where the greatest conflicts are emotional ones.

Visually, "Bridgerton" is deliberately extravagant. The colors are vivid, the costumes grand, and the rooms larger than actually necessary. Every scene is composed for maximum effect, almost like in a painting.

In today's media landscape, where images play an important role, this aesthetic works perfectly. This series is designed not only to be watched, but also to be shared, quoted and referenced. The spectacle is not just for the sake of entertainment, but rather part of the show's narrative strategy.

Clear structure, strong emotions

Each season of the series, which is based on the "Bridgerton" novel series by US author Julia Quinn, focuses on a single love story. This creates structure and emotional clarity for viewers. The series then weaves a rich web of side characters, family conflicts, scandals and social etiquette around the season's central couple.

The happy ending is usually predictable — yet it is the characters' journey that keeps the story exciting. The blend of reliability and drama makes "Bridgerton" easy to watch without feeling superficial.

Desire, shame, power, jealousy: The emotions are what matter, and they are evoked in close to every image, scene and dialogue. At balls, a string orchestra plays pop music in a Mozart-esque style. The dancing is flamboyant and almost grotesque. The dialogue sounds slightly outdated and poetic, yet still comes off as modern.

At the heart of the stories told in "Bridgerton" lie themes that are universally understood: relationships caught between longstanding power structures, arranged marriages, forbidden desires and societal constraints.

Sexuality and female identity

The open portrayal of sexuality is a hallmark of the series. Most scenes excude a warm and romantic eroticism, not to provoke, but to ask: Who is allowed to desire? And who risks their reputation? Who has the right to decide over one's body, intimacy and future?

Women's desires take center stage here. "Bridgerton" portrays women who learn to voice their desires regardless of age or body image. Historical conventions are used to discuss modern themes like consent, self-determination and emotional labor.

The story behind the diverse cast

The diverse cast is a key part of the series' impact. This form of storytelling can be traced back to the 2015 Broadway musical "Hamilton," where non-white actors were cast to portray the US founding fathers. History wasn't being corrected, but reinterpreted.

Series creator Shonda Rhimes brought this method to television. Early on, she started using colorblind casting, in which the actor's suitability for a role is prioritized. This encourages diversity and avoids stereotypical depictions. Skin color is not a criterion for the role; it does not create conflicts and is therefore not part of the story.

With "Bridgerton," Shonda Rhimes has shown that this model works in period pieces. Many other series are now following suit, from the "Bridgerton" sequel "Queen Charlotte" to "Marie Antionette" to fantasy series like "House of the Dragon" or "The Witcher."

Historical accuracy is not abandoned but reimagined. History is understood as an interpretation rather than a museum-like presentation of a bygone era. "Bridgerton" is intentionally contrived to connect romantic fairytales with modern questions. Perhaps that's what makes it believable, emotionally relatable, and such a smash hit.

Season four of "Bridgerton" premieres on Netflix on 29 January 2026.

This article has been translated from German.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2026 04:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).